US Road Trip

[harvard1041]

Had a week or so off work recently, and headed to the US to visit some friends and their old aircraft. Thought a few photos might be of interest. Most places have a Kiwi connection.

Flew in to Kansas City and my buddy Fred. He's visited NZ a couple of times and his main interest is the Ryan STA but also is building a J3 Cub and Sopwith Camel - clever fella.

Next down to southern Missouti where the 'Warhawk 51' guys are rebuilding a P-40E1. Have seen this project over the last 15 years and several NZ built parts included.



Up to Iowa and the annual Antique Aircraft Flyin at Blakesburg


Then Ken Hake in Kansas who builds P-40s and has supplied parts to most P-40 aircraft rebuilds - and has been to Aussie & NZ as well.


Then TriState Aviation Museum in Batavia, Ohio where NZ 3119 is being rebuilt ( to a super high standard ) but retaining it's RNZAF connection. Great people and a neat collection of aircraft.


Then Virginia to visit friend WW I builder John Gaertner ( has the remains of a NZ Avro 504 ) then down to Yagens place in Norfolk and then Eastern Maryland. Lots of NZ built aircraft at Yagens - P-40, Mosquito etc





Back via the Air & Space Museum at Dulles airport outside Washington DC. Kiwi connection ? - building is the Steve Udvar-Hazy Centre. Steve Hazy being the old head of ILFC aircraft leasing...of which Air NZ leased many aircraft. Remember 747-400 ZK-SUH ?




Bud Wheeler who overhauls Allisons in PA.


plus several old sheds with lots of neat stuff ...


Ted Teach in Indiana and his lovely Ryan STA

Once back in Kansas City, back to Europe via Toronto, but an unscheduled 24 hour delay - so visited both the Museum at Hamilton and Great War Flying guys north of Toronto.





Lots of fun but back to work Monday.

[baz62]

Wow you do visit some neat places John! You aren't with Mike Nicholls are you as he's also in the US at the moment. So they really had to do some major work to NZ3119 after her mishap. Great to see her flying again in her RNZAF scheme again. Cheers for the photos!

[Dave Homewood]

What a super trip you had John! Thanks for sharing the photos.

[harvard1041]

Hi Baz

No, Mike is at Reno watching the Races which are on this past week.

One question I had was does anyone have any wartime photos of NZ3119 for the guys in Batavia ? This is the ex John Chambers / Subritzky machine that was sold overseas a couple of years back but had an engine failure soon after being returned to flight in Ohio. It's now being rebuilt with every effort made to make it as original as possible - and some really stunning work. Should be at Oshkosh next year with some luck.

Any 3119 photos out there ?

Cheers
Hvd1041